Any form of sexual misconduct, assault or harassment is never okay.
If you have been the target of sexual misconduct, assault or harassment, it may be hard to know what to do or how to feel. sometimes people feel a lot of confusion about what has happened. What happened was not your fault. What you do next is your choice.
If you make a named report via Report and Support (leaving your contact details), this is risk assessed by a small expert team. If you are a student, a member of the Student Support and Wellbeing team will reach out to support you. If you are a staff member, it will be a representative of HR. If you make an anonymous report, an investigation and formal action can still take place, however we will unable to give you support directly. You can find out more information on our 'How Does Reporting Work' page.
King’s is committed to creating a welcoming, inclusive and safe environment for all members of our community. This means protecting our students, staff and visitors both on our campuses and in our digital spaces from the following unacceptable behaviours:
- bullying
- harassment
- sexual misconduct, and
- restriction of free speech or academic freedom.
All forms of sexual harassment, misconduct and assault are contrary to the Equality Act 2010 and to King's College London's Dignity at King's - Prevention of Bullying, Harassment and Sexual Misconduct Policy
It's happened to me, what can I do?
- Think
- Are you in immediate danger? If you are in immediate danger or seriously injured, you can contact the emergency services on 999 (or 112 from a mobile phone) or the King’s Security Team.
- Find a safe space. If an incident has just happened, try and find somewhere you feel safe.
- What are sexual harassment, misconduct or assault? It might be useful to think about what is meant by this and how these behaviours are described.
- Report
- Both staff and students can report an incident using KCL's Report and Support system.
- You can choose to do this anonymously or you can request support from an advisor. If you choose to talk to an advisor, they will be able to talk through the options and support available to you, in confidence.
- If you choose to make a formal complaint about a student or fellow member of staff, there are procedures which set out the steps you'll need to follow.
- Get support
- Important to know: If you have experienced sexual assault, please refer to NHS: Help after rape and sexual assault in the first instance.
- It’s important that you take care of yourself. If you’ve heard something distressing or if something is troubling you, you can seek support through the King's Employee Assistance Programme.
- For mental health and wellbeing support, have a look at the KCL Staff Wellbeing pages.
- You may find it helpful to get in touch with one of the Chaplains at the King's Chaplaincy, who are available to support staff, as well as students.
It's happened to someone I know, what should I do?
If you know someone who has been affected by sexual harassment, misconduct or assault, they are not alone and support is available.
- Think
- Are they in immediate danger? If they are in immediate danger or seriously injured, you can contact the emergency services on 999 (or 112 from a mobile phone) or the King’s Security Team.
- Find a safe space. If an incident has just happened, try and find somewhere they feel safe.
- What are sexual harassment, misconduct or assault? It might be useful to think about what is meant by this and how these behaviours are described.
- Talk
- Listen. Just taking the time to listen to someone and talk about what has happened can help. Try these 6 active listening tips to help you support them.
- If someone you know has experienced serious sexual assault, please encourage them to refer to NHS: Help after rape and sexual assault in the first instance.
- Give options. When they have finished talking, ask them if they are okay to talk through some possible options and next steps.
- You can encourage them to seek support.
- Alternatively, you can make an anonymous disclosure which will allow us to investigate if there are multiple instances in one area.
- Get support
- It’s important that they take care of themselves. They can seek support through the King's Employee Assistance Programme.
- For mental health and wellbeing support, have a look at the KCL Staff Wellbeing pages.
- They may find it helpful to get in touch with one of the Chaplains at the King's Chaplaincy, who are available to support staff, as well as students.